Hospice Volunteer Stories: Robert D’Angelo

Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care volunteers donate their time and talents to improving the lives of terminally ill patients. They come from a wide range of experience, backgrounds and age groups. They volunteer in a variety of ways from office work to visiting patients to helping with special events.

Robert D’Angelo first heard about Crossroads from his daughter who works as a nurse in our Plymouth Meeting, PA office. When he retired, she encouraged him to stay active by volunteering in the community.

Hospice Volunteer Stories

What Do You Do as a Crossroads Volunteer?

I come in and do basic office work a couple times a week, filing, stuffing envelopes, things of that nature.

What Made You Decide to be a Volunteer?

[My daughter] Joyce actually volunteered me. She kind of talked me into it. I was reluctant at first, but when I came in and found what I could do and the people here, I’m fine with it. I have no problem with it.

What Would Be Your Advice to Someone Thinking about Becoming a Volunteer?

Do it. If you’re able to do it, it can be a very reward experience. Other than you know that if you’re dealing with patients, you are dealing with terminally ill patients who are going to expire. But life is like that. You go until you die.

What is the Hospice Volunteer Experience Like for a Retiree?

Any way you can keep yourself busy, whether it’s this, volunteering in a hospital, volunteering to pick up trash along the highway. Anything you can do to keep yourself active and moving is better for you than sitting around and wasting away.

Hospice volunteers like Robert are committed to helping our patients and families. We couldn’t do what we do without them.

To learn more about hospice volunteering, please call us at 1-888-564-3405 to speak with a Volunteer Manager who can connect you with hospice volunteer opportunities in your area.

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